Mobile communication terminal

ABSTRACT

In order to facilitate an operation for talking, a mobile communication terminal includes first and second LCDs which display images, the first LCD being changed in state between an open state where a display surface of the second LCD is exposed and a closed state where the display surface of the second LCD is covered by the first LCD, a state detecting portion which detects the open/closed state of the first LCD, a destination number accepting portion which accepts a telephone number of a call destination while the open state is being detected by the state detecting portion, and a communication control portion which originates a call to a telephone number accepted by the destination number accepting portion (S 08 ) when the closed state is detected by the state detecting portion (YES in S 07 ) after the telephone number has been accepted by the destination number accepting portion (S 05 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/810,491, filed on Jun. 24, 2010, which is the U.S. National StageApplication of International Application No. PCT/JP2008/073590, filed onDec. 25, 2008, and claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2007-340604, filed on Dec. 28, 2007, each of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal, andmore particularly to a mobile communication terminal which can be openedand closed.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, many mobile phones are configured to be changeable in style inconsideration of convenience of use and portability. Taking advantage ofsuch a change in style, a technique of using a user's operation ofchanging the style of the mobile phone as an instruction to be inputinto the mobile phone has been developed. There is known a mobile phonewhich is configured such that, when a phonebook is opened while themobile phone is in the folded state and then the phone body is opened, acall is originated to the party designated in the phonebook to enter atalk mode. During the call, other applications can be browsed when thephone body is closed, and the talk can be continued when the phone bodyis opened again.

In the case of a mobile terminal focusing on manipulability of thekeyboard as well as visibility of the display, the mobile terminal mayincrease in size to the extent that it cannot be held with one hand inthe open state. This mobile phone takes a form suitable for talking whenit is closed rather than when it is open. Thus, talking on the phone maybe difficult if the mobile phone needs to be opened in order tooriginate a call to enter a talk mode.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

The present invention has been accomplished to solve the above-describedproblem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mobilecommunication terminal in which an operation for talking thereon isfacilitated.

Means for Solving the Problems

To achieve the above-described object, according to an aspect of thepresent invention, a mobile communication terminal includes: first andsecond display portion to display images, the first display portionbeing changed in state between an open state where a display surface ofthe second display portion is exposed and a closed state where thedisplay surface of the second display portion is covered by the firstdisplay portion; state detecting portion to detect the open/closed stateof the first display portion; destination number accepting portion toaccept a telephone number of a call destination in the state where theopen state is being detected by the state detecting portion; andcommunication control portion, in response to an event that the closedstate is detected by the state detecting portion after the telephonenumber has been accepted by the destination number accepting portion,for originating a call to the accepted telephone number.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a mobilecommunication terminal includes: first and second display portion todisplay images, the first display portion being changed in state betweenan open state where a display surface of the second display portion isexposed and a closed state where the display surface of the seconddisplay portion is covered by the first display portion; state detectingportion to detect the open/closed state of the first display portion;and communication control portion to cause for causing the terminal togo off-hook in response to an event that the closed state is detected bythe state detecting portion after an incoming call has been detectedwhile the open state of the first display portion was being detected.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a mobilecommunication terminal includes: display portion to display an image,the display portion being changed in state between an open state where asurface of an operation portion is exposed and a closed state where thesurface of the operation portion is covered; state detecting portion todetect the open/closed state of the display portion; destination numberaccepting portion to accept a telephone number of a call destination inthe state where the open state is being detected by the state detectingportion; and communication control portion, in response to an event thatthe closed state is detected by the state detecting portion after thetelephone number has been accepted by the destination number acceptingportion, for originating a call to the accepted telephone number.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a mobilecommunication terminal includes: display portion to display an image,the display portion being changed in state between an open state where asurface of an operation portion is exposed and a closed state where thesurface of the operation portion is covered; state detecting portion todetect the open/closed state of the display portion; and communicationcontrol portion to cause the terminal to go off-hook in response to anevent that the closed state is detected by the state detecting portionafter an incoming call has been detected while the open state was beingdetected by the state detecting portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a mobile communication terminal in aclosed state.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the mobile communication terminal in anopen state.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the hardwareconfiguration of the mobile communication terminal.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the functionsof a CPU included in the mobile communication terminal.

FIG. 4 shows an example of an address book display screen which isdisplayed during a call originating operation.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a calling screen.

FIG. 6 shows an example of an incoming call alert screen.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a calloriginating process performed while in the open state.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a callreceiving process.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described withreference to the drawings. In the following description, like referencecharacters denote like parts, which have like names and functions, andtherefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

A mobile communication terminal 1 according to the present embodiment ischanged in style between an open state and a closed state. FIG. 1A is aperspective view of the mobile communication terminal in the closedstate. FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the mobile communicationterminal in the open state. Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, mobilecommunication terminal 1 includes a first display portion 2, a seconddisplay portion 3, and a housing portion 5 which supports first displayportion 2 and second display portion 3 in a slidable manner. Firstdisplay portion 2 and second display portion 3 each have anapproximately rectangular parallelepiped shape. Housing portion 5 has arecess, in which first display portion 2 and second display portion 3are housed when mobile communication terminal 1 is in the closed state,so that mobile communication terminal 1 attains an approximatelyrectangular parallelepiped shape. As such, mobile communication terminal1 in the closed state has a shape suitable for talking thereon.

A speaker 11 and a microphone 13 are each arranged at a position onhousing portion 5 that is other than the recess for receiving firstdisplay portion 2 and second display portion 3. Therefore, speaker 11and microphone 13 are exposed when mobile communication terminal 1 is inthe closed state.

In the closed state, first display portion 2 lies on second displayportion 3. First display portion 2 includes a first liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) 15 on its surface opposite from its other surface facingsecond display portion 3, and a first touch panel 17 is providedoverlaid on first LCD 15. Second display portion 3 includes a second LCD16 on its surface facing first display portion 2, and a second touchpanel 18 is provided overlaid on second LCD 16.

As first display portion 2 lies on second display portion 3 in theclosed state, first LCD 15 is exposed, whereas second LCD 16 is coveredby first display portion 2. Thus, when mobile communication terminal 1is in the closed state, a user can touch first touch panel 17 but cannottouch second touch panel 18.

In the state where mobile communication terminal 1 is closed, when firstdisplay portion 2 and second display portion 3 both slide, mobilecommunication terminal 1 attains the open state. Second display portion3 slides in a direction opposite from the direction in which firstdisplay portion 2 slides. Second display portion 3 is biased by a springprovided in housing portion 5, so that second display portion 3 is movedupward when it slides to a predetermined position. Thus, at the timewhen mobile communication terminal 1 is in the open state, as shown inFIG. 1B, the display surface of first LCD 15 included in first displayportion 2 and the display surface of second LCD 16 included in seconddisplay portion 3 become flush with each other. Accordingly, when mobilecommunication terminal 1 is in the open state, first LCD 15 and secondLCD 16 are both exposed, allowing the user to look at the imagesdisplayed thereon. The screen area doubles as compared with the casewhere mobile communication terminal 1 is in the closed state, so that alarge amount of information can be displayed. Furthermore, first touchpanel 17 overlaid on first LCD 15 and second touch panel 18 overlaid onsecond LCD 16 are exposed as well, allowing the user to inputinstructions using a large area.

When mobile communication terminal 1 is in the open state, speaker 11and microphone 13 are both exposed, enabling talking over the terminal.However, first display portion 2 and second display portion 3 protrudefrom housing portion 5, and the display surface doubles that in theclosed state, making it difficult for the user to talk while holding theterminal with the hand. The open state of mobile communication terminal1 is suitable for displaying images and for the user to inputoperations.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the hardwareconfiguration of the mobile communication terminal. Referring to FIG. 2,mobile communication terminal 1 includes: a CPU 21 which is responsiblefor overall control of mobile communication terminal 1; first LCD 15 andsecond LCD 16 each connected to CPU 21; a radio circuit 22 connected toan antenna 22A; an open-state sensor 23; a closed-state sensor 24, anoperation portion 25 which accepts an input of a user operation; a cardinterface (I/F) 27; a codec portion 28; speaker 11 and microphone 13connected to codec portion 28; a read only memory (ROM) 31 for storing aprogram to be executed by CPU 21 and others; a random access memory(RAM) 32 used as a work area for CPU 21; and an electronically erasableand programmable ROM (EEPROM) 33 which stores address book data andothers in a non-volatile manner.

Radio circuit 22 is supplied with a radio signal which has been receivedby antenna 22A. Radio circuit 22 demodulates the radio signal, andoutputs the resultant signal to CPU 21. In the case where thedemodulated radio signal is an audio signal, CPU 21 outputs the audiosignal to codec portion 28. When radio circuit 22 receives a signal fromCPU 21, it modulates the signal, and outputs the modulated radio signalto antenna 22A. CPU 21, on receipt of an audio signal from codec portion28, outputs the audio signal to radio circuit 22. When radio circuit 22receives an incoming call, it outputs an incoming call signal to CPU 21.When receiving an outgoing call signal from CPU 21, radio circuit 22calls a telephone number input from CPU 21.

Codec portion 28 decodes an audio signal input from CPU 21, converts thedecoded digital audio signal to an analog signal, amplifies the same,and outputs the resultant signal to speaker 11 which serves as areceiver. When receiving an analog audio signal from microphone 13,codec portion 28 converts the audio signal into a digital signal, codesthe same, and outputs the coded audio signal to CPU 21.

Open-state sensor 23 is ON when mobile communication terminal 1 is inthe open state, and OFF when it is not in the open state. Closed-statesensor 24 is ON when mobile communication terminal 1 is in the closedstate, and OFF when it is not in the closed state. Open-state sensor 23and closed-state sensor 24 are connected to CPU 21, and CPU 21 detectsthe style of mobile communication terminal 1 by detecting the states ofopen-state sensor 23 and closed-state sensor 24. Here, open-state sensor23 and closed-state sensor 24 both detect the position of first displayportion 2.

Operation portion 25 includes first touch panel 17 and second touchpanel 18. When an operation is input from operation portion 25, CPU 21performs processing in accordance with the input operation. CPU 21 readsa plurality of application programs stored in ROM 31 for execution.While these application programs are written in a program language suchas C or JAVA (registered trademark), the program languages used forwriting the application programs are not restricted thereto; any otherprogram languages may be used. Further, while the plurality ofapplication programs are stored in ROM 31 and loaded into mobilecommunication terminal 1, the plurality of application programs may bewritten in a single program language, or in different program languages.That is, there may be a plurality of application programs written indifferent program languages.

First LCD 15 and second LCD 16 are controlled by CPU 21 to displayimages. It is noted that first LCD 15 and second LCD 16 may each bereplaced with any device for displaying an image, which may be forexample an organic electro-luminescence (EL) display. First touch panel17 and second touch panel 18 each detect a position touched by a userwhen the user touches the panel surface with the finger or the like.First touch panel 17 and second touch panel 18 each output positionalinformation indicating the detected position to CPU 21.

EEPROM 33 stores address book data. In the address book data, for eachuser as a call destination, user identification information foridentifying the user is associated with related information. The useridentification information includes the user's full name, nickname orother short name, and face image obtained by picking up an image of theuser's face. The related information includes a telephone number, e-mailaddress, group to which the user belongs, and memo.

Card I/F 27 is mounted with a removable memory card 27A. Memory card 27Amay be, e.g., a CompactFlash, SmartMedia (registered trademark), securedigital (SD) memory card, memory stick, multimedia card (MMC), xDpicture card, or the like.

CPU 21 is capable of accessing memory card 27A via card I/F 27. While itis here assumed that the program to be executed by CPU 21 is stored inflash ROM 31, the program may be stored in memory card 27A and read frommemory card 27A for execution by CPU 21. The recording medium forstoring the program is not restricted to memory card 27A. It may be aflexible disk, a cassette tape, a magnetic disk, an optical disk(compact disc-ROM (CD-ROM), magnetic optical disc (MO), mini disc (MD),digital versatile disc (DVD)), an optical card, or a semiconductormemory such as a mask ROM, an EPROM, or the like. Still alternatively,mobile communication terminal 1 may be connected to the Internet viaradio circuit 22 and the program may be downloaded from a computerconnected to the Internet, to be executed by CPU 21. As used herein, the“program” includes, not only the program directly executable by CPU 21,but also a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program,and others.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the functionsof the CPU included in the mobile communication terminal. CPU 21includes: a state detecting portion 51 which detects the state of mobilecommunication terminal 1; a communication control portion 53 whichcontrols radio circuit 22; a destination number accepting portion 55which accepts a destination to be called; a first display controlportion 57 which controls first LCD 15; a first instruction acceptingportion 59 connected to the first touch panel; a second display controlportion 61 which controls second LCD 16; and a second instructionaccepting portion 63 connected to the second touch panel.

State detecting portion 51 detects the state of mobile communicationterminal 1. State detecting portion 51 detects the open state whenopen-state sensor 23 is ON. State detecting portion 51 detects theclosed state when closed-state sensor 24 is ON. When open-state sensor23 and closed-state sensor 24 are both OFF, state detecting portion 51detects a state that is neither the closed state nor the open state.State detecting portion 51 outputs a state signal indicating thedetected state of mobile communication terminal 1 to communicationcontrol portion 53 and second display control portion 61.

First display control portion 57 controls first LCD 15 to display animage on first LCD 15. First display control portion 57 outputs theimage displayed on first LCD 15 to first instruction accepting portion59.

First instruction accepting portion 59 is connected to first touch panel17, and accepts from first touch panel 17 a position signal whichindicates the position on the first touch panel touched by a person withthe finger or the like. First instruction accepting portion 59 detects acommand assigned to a predetermined position on the image in accordancewith the image input from first display control portion 57 and theposition signal input from first touch panel 17.

Second display control portion 61 controls second LCD 16 to display animage on second LCD 16. Second display control portion 61 outputs theimage displayed on second LCD 16 to second instruction accepting portion63. Second display control portion 61 switches the image to be displayedon second LCD 16 in accordance with a command output from firstinstruction accepting portion 59. This allows an image associated withthe image being displayed on first LCD 15 to be displayed on second LCD16.

Second instruction accepting portion 63 is connected to second touchpanel 18, and accepts from second touch panel 18 a position signal whichindicates the position on the first touch panel touched by a person withthe finger or the like. Second instruction accepting portion 63 detectsa command assigned to a predetermined position on the image inaccordance with the image input from second display control portion 61and the position signal input from second touch panel 18.

An example of displaying, on second LCD 16, an image associated with theimage being displayed on first LCD 15 will now be described inconjunction with the case where a user uses an address book to originatea call. When first instruction accepting portion 59 or secondinstruction accepting portion 63 accepts an instruction to display anaddress book, first display control portion 57 reads address book datastored in EEPROM 33 and displays images of a plurality of pieces of useridentification information included in the address book data on firstLCD 15. In this state, when the user designates one of the plurality ofimages of user identification information displayed on first LCD 15 withthe finger, first instruction accepting portion 59 specifies the useridentification information from the image being displayed in thedesignated position, and outputs the user identification information tosecond display control portion 61 and destination number acceptingportion 55.

Second display control portion 61, on receipt of the user identificationinformation from first instruction accepting portion 59, searches theaddress book data stored in EEPROM 33 and causes second LCD 16 todisplay an image of related information that is associated with the useridentification information. The related information includes the name,group, telephone number, e-mail address, memo, and others included inthe address book data.

FIG. 4 shows an example of an address book display screen which isdisplayed during a call originating operation. Referring to FIG. 4, alist screen is displayed on first LCD 15 provided in first displayportion 2, and a related screen including the related information isdisplayed on second LCD 16 provided in second display portion 3.

The list screen displayed on first LCD 15 includes images of theplurality of pieces of user identification information included in theaddress book data, which images are laid out systematically. Here, theuser identification information includes the user name and face image.

The related screen displayed on second LCD 16 includes relatedinformation which is associated by the address book data with the useridentification information selected in the list screen. The relatedscreen shown here is displayed when the user designates the name “

” as the user identification information. In the list screen, the imageof the user identification information designated by the user isdisplayed brighter than the other images, to make it distinguishablefrom the images of the other user identification information.

While it is here assumed that the information included in the addressbook data is displayed as the related information, in the case whereEEPROM 33 stores therein transmitted and received e-mails as well asannual, monthly, and daily schedule data, then the related informationmay include the e-mail transmitted to or received from the usercorresponding to the user identification information input from firstinstruction accepting portion 59, and the schedule data including theuser identification information of that user. The related informationdisplayed on second LCD 16 allows the user, before originating a call,to confirm the information that has been lately exchanged with theintended party, or to confirm the past or future schedule.

Returning to FIG. 3, destination number accepting portion 55, on receiptof the user identification information from first instruction acceptingportion 59, searches the address book data stored in EEPROM 33, andoutputs the telephone number associated with the user identificationinformation, to communication control portion 53.

Communication control portion 53 controls radio circuit 22.Communication control portion 53 receives a state signal indicating thestate of mobile communication terminal 1 from state detecting portion51, and receives a telephone number of a call destination fromdestination number accepting portion 55. In the state where a statesignal indicating the open state is being input, when a telephone numberof a call destination is input from destination number accepting portion55 and then a state signal indicating the closed state is received,communication control portion 11 causes radio circuit 22 to originate acall to the destination number received from destination numberaccepting portion 55 and to connect the line when there is an answerfrom the call destination. Communication control portion 53 outputs tofirst display control portion 57 communication state signals indicatingthe communication states from when communication control portion 53causes radio circuit 22 to originate a call till when the line isdisconnected.

First display control portion 57, on receipt of a communication statesignal from radio circuit 22, displays a screen indicating thecommunication state on first LCD 15. The screen indicating thecommunication state includes: a calling screen which is displayed onfirst LCD 15 during calling, from when communication control portion 53originates a call till when an answer is received from the calldestination; and an active call screen which indicates that the line hasbeen connected and the call is active.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the calling screen. The calling screen isdisplayed when mobile communication terminal 1 is in the closed state.Referring to FIG. 5, the calling screen includes a message “calling” fornotifying the user that the call is being originated, the name and faceimage as the user identification information of the call destination,and the telephone number. This allows the user to know that mobilecommunication terminal 1 is calling the user named “AI”.

Returning to FIG. 3, in the case where radio circuit 22 receives anincoming call while the state signal indicating the open state is beinginput from state detecting portion 51, communication control portion 53outputs to second display control portion 61 an incoming call signalindicating that there is an incoming call. Thereafter, when the statesignal indicating the closed state is input, communication controlportion 53 causes radio circuit 22 to take the terminal off-hook, so asto connect the line.

On the other hand, in the case where an incoming call signal is inputfrom communication control portion 53 while in the open state, seconddisplay control portion 61 displays on second LCD 16 an incoming callalert screen for notifying the user that there is an incoming call. Inthe open state, an image may have already been displayed on second LCD16, in which case second display control portion 61 displays theincoming call alert screen in preference to the image that has beendisplayed. For example, the incoming call alert screen may be displayedoverlaid on the image being displayed. In this case, the incoming callalert screen is preferably displayed in such a manner that theunderlying image can be seen through the incoming call alert screen.Alternatively, the image that has been displayed may be replaced withthe incoming call alert screen.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the incoming call alert screen. Referring toFIG. 6, a menu screen is displayed on first LCD 15, while a video imageof television broadcast is displayed on second LCD 16. The menu screenis a screen for a user to select an application program. On second LCD16, the incoming call alert screen including the message “incoming call”is displayed overlaid on the video image of the television broadcast.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a calloriginating process performed while in the open state. The calloriginating process is carried out by CPU 21 included in mobilecommunication terminal 1, when mobile communication terminal 1 is in theopen state, as CPU 21 executes a communication program. Referring toFIG. 7, CPU 21 determines whether an operation of instructing display ofan address book has been accepted (step S01). CPU 21 is in a standbymode until an operation of instructing display of the address book isaccepted (NO in step S01), and once the operation of instructing displayof the address book is accepted (YES in step S01), the process proceedsto step S02. On the menu screen displayed on first LCD 15, when the usertouches an icon associated with the operation of instructing display ofthe address book with the finger, the operation of instructing displayof the address book is accepted from first touch panel 17.

In step S02, the list screen, as shown in FIG. 4, is displayed on firstLCD 15. It is then determined whether one of the images of the pluralityof pieces of user identification information included in the list screenhas been designated (step S03). The positions of the images of theplurality of pieces of user identification information displayed onfirst LCD 15 and the positional information input from first touch panel17 are used to determine which one of the images of the useridentification information has been designated. In the case where one ofthe images of the plurality of pieces of user identification informationhas been designated, the process proceeds to step S04; otherwise, theprocess returns to step S02.

In step S04, related information that is related to the designated useridentification information is extracted. The address book data stored inEEPROM 33 are searched to specify the address book data including thedesignated user identification information, and the related informationincluded in the specified address book data is extracted. Here, therelated information includes the telephone number, e-mail address, groupto which the intended user belongs, and memo.

In step S05, the telephone number included in the related informationextracted in step S04 is extracted so as to specify the telephone numberfor calling. The related information extracted in step S04 is displayedon second LCD 16 (step S06). This allows the user, prior to calling, toconfirm the related information about the user as a call destination.Furthermore, in the state where the list screen is being displayed onfirst LCD 15, the related information that is related to the useridentification information selected from that list screen is displayedon second LCD 16, allowing the user to readily select the calldestination.

In step S07, it is determined whether the closed state has been detectedas the state of mobile communication terminal 1. In other words, it isdetermined whether the state of mobile communication terminal 1 has beenchanged from the open state to the closed state. Specifically, it isdetermined whether closed-state sensor 24 has changed from OFF to ON. Ifthe closed state has been detected, the process proceeds to step S08;otherwise, the process returns to step S03. That is, the user can selecta user as the call destination until when mobile communication terminal1 attains the closed state.

In step S08, a call is originated to the telephone number specified instep S05. It is then determined whether an answer has been received fromthe phone of the call destination (step S09). If the answer has beenreceived, the process proceeds to step S10; otherwise, the process isterminated.

In step S10, the line is connected to start conversation. The call iscontinued until an end of conversation (NO in step S11), and once theconversation is over (YES in step S11), the process is terminated. Theend of conversation is detected when the line is disconnected or whenthe user inputs into first touch panel 17 an operation of instructingthe end of conversation.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a callreceiving process. The call receiving process is carried out by CPU 21included in mobile communication terminal 1 as CPU 21 executes thecommunication program. Referring to FIG. 8, CPU 21 determines whether anincoming call has been detected (step S21). The incoming call isdetected when radio circuit 22 receives an incoming call. CPU 21 is in astandby mode until an incoming call is detected (NO in step S21). Oncethe incoming call is detected (YES in step S21), the process proceeds tostep S22.

In step S22, it is determined whether the open state has been detectedas the state of mobile communication terminal 1. In other words, thestate of mobile communication terminal 1 upon reception of the incomingcall is determined. Specifically, the open state is detected whenopen-state sensor 23 is ON, while the closed state is detected whenclosed-state sensor 24 is ON. If the open state has been detected, theprocess proceeds to step S23; otherwise, the process proceeds to stepS39.

In step S23, an incoming call alert screen is displayed on second LCD16. The incoming call alert screen includes the message “incoming call”.The incoming call alert screen is displayed in preference to the imagethat has already been displayed. This ensures that the user is notifiedof the incoming call. The message is displayed superimposed on thealready displayed image. In this case, the incoming call alert screen ispreferably displayed in such a manner that the underlying image can beseen through the incoming call alert screen. While it is here assumedthat the incoming call alert screen is displayed on second LCD 16, itmay be displayed on first LCD 15, or on both first LCD 15 and second LCD16. Furthermore, in addition to the display of the incoming call screen,sound, vibration, light, or a combination thereof may be used fornotifying of an incoming call.

In step S24, it is determined whether the closed state has been detectedas the state of mobile communication terminal 1. In other words, it isdetermined whether the state of mobile communication terminal 1 has beenchanged from the open state to the closed state. Specifically, it isdetermined whether closed-state sensor 24 has changed from OFF to ON. Ifthe closed state has been detected, the process proceeds to step S25;otherwise, the process proceeds to step S37.

In step S37, it is determined whether the calling is continued. If radiocircuit 22 is receiving the incoming call, it is determined that thecalling is continued. If the calling is continued, the process returnsto step 24; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 38. That is, whileradio circuit 22 is receiving the incoming call, the process waits untilmobile communication terminal 1 attains the closed state. Once mobilecommunication terminal 1 attains the closed state, the process proceedsto step S25.

In step S38, a screen notifying of incoming call history is displayed onsecond LCD 16, and the process is terminated. The screen notifying ofthe incoming call history includes the message “incoming call” and thecaller's telephone number. This can reliably notify the user that therewas a call. While it is here assumed that the screen notifying of theincoming call history is displayed on second LCD 16, it may be displayedon first LCD 15, or on both first LCD 15 and second LCD 16. Furthermore,in addition to the display of the screen notifying of the incoming callhistory, light or the like may be used to notify that there was a call.

In step S25, radio circuit 22 is caused to take the terminal off-hook.As a result, the line is connected to enable conversation. In thefollowing step S26, a first display screen being displayed on first LCD15 is stored in EEPROM 33, and in the following step S27, a seconddisplay screen being displayed on second LCD 16 is stored in EEPROM 33.Then, in step S28, a calling screen is displayed on first LCD 15. Thisallows the user to know that mobile communication terminal 1 has movedto the active call state where the user can talk on the terminal.

A conversation process is then performed over the connected line (stepS29). In the case where there is an incoming call while mobilecommunication terminal 1 is in the open state, the user only needs toperform an operation of changing the state of mobile communicationterminal 1 to the closed state so as to respond to the incoming call tostart conversation. This facilitates the operation of answering theincoming call.

In step S30, it is determined whether the open state has been detectedas the state of mobile communication terminal 1. In other words, it isdetermined whether the state of mobile communication terminal 1 has beenchanged from the closed state to the open state. Specifically, it isdetermined whether open-state sensor 23 has changed from OFF to ON. Ifthe open state has been detected, the process proceeds to step S31;otherwise, the process proceeds to step S34.

In step S34, it is determined whether an on-hook key has been depressed.If the on-hook key has been depressed, the process proceeds to step S35;otherwise, the process returns to step S29. The on-hook key may be ahard key arranged on housing portion 5, or a soft key displayed on firstLCD 15.

That is, the call is continued until when the state of mobilecommunication terminal 1 is changed to the open state or until when theon-hook key is depressed. In the case where the other party hasdisconnected the line during the call, the process may proceed to stepS35, as in the case where the off-hook key has been depressed in stepS34.

In step S31, the terminal goes on-hook. Specifically, radio circuit 22is caused to disconnect the line that has been connected for telephoneconversation. The terminal goes on-hook when mobile communicationterminal 1 that was in the closed state during the call is changed tothe open state. This allows the user to end the call with a simpleoperation of changing the state of mobile communication terminal 1 fromthe closed state to the open state.

In step S32, the first display screen stored in EEPROM 33 in step S26 isdisplayed on first LCD 15, and in the following step S33, the seconddisplay screen stored in EEPROM 33 in step S27 is displayed on secondLCD 16. The process is then terminated. In this manner, the screens thatwere being displayed on first LCD 15 and second LCD 16 before the callare displayed again, allowing the user to resume the job that the userwas doing before the call.

If it is determined in step S34 that the on-hook key has been depressed,in step S35, the terminal goes on-hook. Specifically, radio circuit 22is caused to disconnect the line that has been connected for telephoneconversation. The user can end the call by depressing the on-hook key,without the need of changing the state of mobile communication terminal1 from the closed state to the open state.

In step S36, it is determined whether the open state has been detectedas the state of mobile communication terminal 1. In other words, it isdetermined whether the state of mobile communication terminal 1 has beenchanged from the closed state to the open state. Specifically, it isdetermined whether open-state sensor 23 has changed from OFF to ON. Theprocess waits until the open state is detected (NO in step S36), andonce the open state is detected (YES in step S36), the process proceedsto step S32.

On the other hand, if mobile communication terminal 1 is in the closedstate upon detection of an incoming call in step S21 (NO in step S22),in step S39, an incoming call alert screen is displayed on first LCD 15.The incoming call alert screen includes the message “incoming call” andthe caller's telephone number.

In the following step S40, it is determined whether an off-hook key hasbeen depressed. If the off-hook key has been depressed, the processproceeds to step S41; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S45. Theoff-hook key may be a hard key arranged on housing portion 5, or a softkey displayed on first LCD 15. That is, while radio circuit 22 isreceiving an incoming call, the process waits until the off-hook key isdepressed, and the process proceeds to step S41 when the off-hook key isdepressed.

In step S45, it is determined whether the calling is continued. If thecalling is continued, the process returns to step S40; otherwise, theprocess proceeds to step S46. In step S46, as in step S38, the screennotifying of the incoming call history is displayed on first LCD 15, andthe process is terminated.

In step S41, radio circuit 22 is caused to take the terminal off-hook.As a result, the line is connected to enable conversation. Aconversation process is performed over the connected line (step S42).When the off-hook key is depressed, the terminal goes off-hook, eventhough the state of mobile communication terminal 1 is not changed fromthe open state to the closed state, so that the conversation can bestarted.

In step S43, it is determined whether the on-hook key has beendepressed. If the on-hook key has been depressed, the process proceedsto step S44; otherwise, the process returns to step S42. In the casewhere the other party has disconnected the line during the call, theprocess may proceed to step S44, as in the case where the on-hook keyhas been depressed in step S43. In the following step S44, the terminalgoes on-hook. Specifically, radio circuit 22 is caused to disconnect theline that has been connected for the telephone conversation, and theprocess is terminated.

For example in the case where there is an incoming call while the useris causing mobile communication terminal 1 to execute an applicationprogram, the user may change mobile communication terminal 1 to theclosed state so as to start the conversation. After an end of theconversation, when the user performs an operation of changing the stateof mobile communication terminal 1 to the open state, the screens thatwere being displayed on first LCD 15 and second LCD 16 before the callare displayed on first LCD 15 and second LCD 16, respectively. Thisallows the user to resume the suspended application program.

As described above, according to mobile communication terminal 1 of thepresent embodiment, in the case where a telephone number of a calldestination is accepted while the open state is being detected and whenthe closed state is detected after the telephone number has beenaccepted, a call is originated to the accepted telephone number. Thisallows the user to originate a call with a simple operation of changingthe state of mobile communication terminal 1 from the open state to theclosed state.

In the open state, mobile communication terminal 1 displays on secondLCD 16 the related information that is related to the useridentification information that has been selected from the list screenof the user identification information displayed on first LCD 15. Thisfacilitates selection of the call destination.

When an incoming call is detected in the open state, mobilecommunication terminal 1 goes off-hook in response to an event that theclosed state is detected. This allows the user to take the terminaloff-hook with a simple operation of changing its state from the openstate to the closed state.

It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein areillustrative and non-restrictive in every respect. The scope of thepresent invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than thedescription above, and is intended to include any modifications withinthe scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1. A mobile communication terminal comprising: a display portion todisplay images; an operation accepting portion to accept an operation bya user; a state detecting portion to detect a state between a restrictedstate of restricting acceptance of a part of the operation acceptable bysaid operation accepting portion and a non-restricted state of notrestricting acceptance of the operation by said operation acceptingportion; and a communication control portion to cause the terminal to gooff-hook in response to an event that a predetermined operation isaccepted by said operation accepting portion after an incoming call hasbeen detected while said restricted state was being detected by saidstate detecting portion.
 2. The mobile communication terminal accordingto claim 1, wherein said operation accepting portion includes a touchpanel provided overlaid on said display portion, and accepts saidpredetermined operation in a case where an operation instructing a talkkey displayed on said display portion is detected by said touch panel.3. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein: saiddisplay portion changes in state between an open state where a part ofsaid operation accepting portion is exposed and a closed state wheresaid part of said operation accepting portion is covered by said displayportion; and said state detecting portion detects said restricted stateduring the period when said display portion is in said closed state, anddetects said non-restricted state during the period when said displayportion is in said open state.
 4. The mobile communication terminalaccording to claim 1, wherein said communication control portion furthercauses the terminal to go off-hook in response to an event that saidrestriction state is detected by said state detecting portion after anincoming call has been detected while said non-restricted state wasbeing detected by said state detecting portion.
 5. A mobilecommunication terminal comprising: a display portion to display images;an operation accepting portion to accept an operation by a user; a statedetecting portion to detect a state between a restricted state ofrestricting acceptance of a part of the operation acceptable by saidoperation accepting portion and a non-restricted state of notrestricting acceptance of the operation by said operation acceptingportion; and a communication control portion to cause the terminal to gooff-hook in response to an event that said restriction state is detectedby said state detecting portion after an incoming call has been detectedwhile said non-restricted state was being detected by said statedetecting portion.
 6. The mobile communication terminal according toclaim 5, wherein: said display portion changes in state between an openstate where a part of said operation accepting portion is exposed and aclosed state where said part of said operation accepting portion iscovered by said display portion; and said state detecting portiondetects said restricted state during the period when said displayportion is in said closed state, and detects said non-restricted stateduring the period when said display portion is in said open state.